70-297 or 70-298

I am planning to go for the MCSE now but I don't know which Core Design to take:

1) 70-297 - MSCert: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure

OR

2) 70-298 MSCert: Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network

Which one will have more a practical purpose?

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Comments

Sie

Are you planning on getting the MCSE : S ??

If so you should do the :

- 70-298 MSCert: Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network

Heres the requirements for the MCSE : Security

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/security/windowsserver2003.mspx

astorrs

If you want to do the :S you'll need 298, otherwise I would suggest finishing 293 and 294 and then deciding what you're more comfortable with.

RobertKaucher

294 is to 297 as 291 is to 293. This means overlap in study material. I chose the 298 because I wanted the security specialization to set me apart. If you are taking the 351 ISA Server exam as your elective (Network+ and A+ do not count last I checked) then I would consider taking on the Security+ exam to get the security specialization. The Sec+ and 298 have similar themes and I found preparing for the Sec+ made studying for 298 easier. IF you have a good understanding of security templates, SCAT, etc. the 298 should be "easy" for you. (notice the quotes)

dynamik

Also, there wasn't a lot of new security stuff that wasn't covered in 291 and 293. 299 filled in the small gaps, which is why I took 298 and 299 together.

I don't really think it matters. They both test your ability to think critically about AD or Security. You'll still end up with an MCSE, and I don't think taking either one is going to make a great deal of impact on your daily activities. Just go with whatever you're interested in or comfortable with.

undomiel

298 if you're wanting that :S and the 298 can apply towards :M as well. But if you want to be far looking down the road, then you may wish to consider the 297 as it is a prerequisite for the Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008. Just something to consider. I'm going for the 298 currently as I want my :S so that I can be as cool as dynamik one day.

Tyrant1919

Doesn't really matter either way. Although I did go 298 for the S.

RobertKaucher

undomiel wrote:

.... I'm going for the 298 currently as I want my :S so that I can be as cool as dynamik one day.

Is there a certification for that? That would be a rough test!

AEV

I would take 297. Why? You need as a prereq for Master if you ever elect to go that far.
-Years from now you never know where you will be-

Prerequisites

Other than Experience are:

• Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSE) on Windows Server 2000, MCSE on Windows Server 2003
or
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Enterprise Administrator
• Exam 70-219: Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure
or
• Exam 70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure

undomiel

Generally I wouldn't consider pursuing Master unless a company was sponsoring me. I don't know about you but I don't really have $18k+ to be shelling out these days. And if a company was sponsoring me then I would just take the 297 at that time.

dynamik

undomiel wrote:

Generally I wouldn't consider pursuing Master unless a company was sponsoring me. I don't know about you but I don't really have $18k+ to be shelling out these days. And if a company was sponsoring me then I would just take the 297 at that time.

The Masters look like they're going to be very difficult to obtain. I wouldn't base my decisions around obtaining a masters in the future.

undomiel

The difficult doesn't scare me off but the price does! If it was just difficulty then I would say bring it on.

astorrs

Yeah like dynamik said the MCM is way beyond most people's skill sets as it is designed to prove expert level knowledge in a particular technology and they will expect you to prove ~5 years of experience implementing and owning/managing the technology in large enterprise class environments (think 10,000+ user AD environments).

jbaello

I wanna be as cool as dynamik

one day, but I will be taking 297

I want to get more deeper into M$ AD in and out.

If I want to be a security specialist I would take GIAC/GSEC or CCSP, also the M and S, is pretty old now, why take M when you can take MCTS, just my .02

What do you guys recommend as far as study materials go for 297? I was also thinking of doing dual study for 297 and CCNA, I will be setting up a live site-to-site VPN tunnel and multiple DC/Forest/Domain, to practice M$ networking. I am thinking to accomplish this before end of the year.

astorrs

jbaello wrote:

What do you guys recommend as far as study materials go for 297?

I would be tempted to pickup the MS Press book and then reread/skim the 291/293/294 books. Those three exams is where 99% of the content is going to come from.

Don't forget the exam is titled "Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure" and from my experience you can expect a fair balance between the two subject areas.

dynamik

jbaello wrote:

I wanna be as cool as dynamik one day, but I will be taking 297 I want to get more deeper into M$ AD in and out.

That only reason I'm cool is because I'm in Minnesota

Do whatever interests you; there's no right or wrong way.

NetAdmin2436

dynamik wrote:

That only reason I'm cool is because I'm in Minnesota

...And here I thought it was my stunning personality and killer looks